"What’s in Store for the Rest of the City"

Few places in San Francisco capture the changes the city is undergoing quite as neatly and succinctly as the Inner Richmond. This is where the city’s flux is most evident: in the revitalized housing, in the new restaurants and businesses, in the makeup of its residents, and in the changing look and feel of a neighborhood in the process of renewal, if not gentrification. Here, old homes are emerging from neglect, with new paint and windows and restored porches. Major thoroughfares like Geary Boulevard have been re-engineered to enable better traffic flow, with new plants and trees to beautify the median. Old commercial streets (like Balboa, Clement, and Geary as well) are taking on renewed luster, as businesses move in and revamp shopfronts that had drifted into decay. The Inner Richmond, long classified as San Francisco’s “second Chinatown,” is moving toward its new definition: the next Noe Valley, with a mix of old-timers and newcomers, singles and families, kids and retirees. If you want a glimpse at what San Francisco’s ever-transforming landscape looks like, look no further than the Inner Richmond.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, this formerly all-white enclave has become typical of many San Francisco neighborhoods where no one ethnicity predominates: About 45 percent white (with recent Irish immigrants making up a large part of the total), 40 percent Asian, and the rest a mix of Native American, African American or people of mixed race. They are thirty-somethings (median age is 36), educated (57 percent hold a bachelor’s degree or higher), and middle class (with a median household income of about $60,000). About 35 percent live in their own homes; the remaining 65 percent rent.

This fairly flat expanse of former sand dunes the current residents inhabit was once part of the city’s vast “Outer Lands,” developed by, among others, the late-19th-century Fernando Nelson and his sons, who were credited with building a house a day for six years after the great quake and fire of 1906. Though many small cottages from the 19th century remain in the area (attesting to the initial development of the land here as vegetable and dairy farms), the primary architecture of the district is Edwardian, with many details and characteristics added to give the homes a one-of-a-kind look: a Tudor façade here, a Moorish arch over the entry there, French grillwork around the windows and false balconies—anything to give the side-by-side homes (many of which were, in fact, based on the same layout) less uniformity (see the rows on Fifth Avenue between Balboa and Cabrillo, those along Third Avenue between Cabrillo and Fulton, and those up and down Twelfth Avenue from Golden Gate Park to Anza for examples of this “individualization”).

Today, many of these homes, suffering from long-deferred maintenance or outright neglect, are being restored and refurbished by their young, eager new owners, intent on raising their families in a solid neighborhood with good housing stock. Area homeowners are also intent on planting more trees on the somewhat barren streets, particularly ones that will thrive in the area’s frequent fog and wind. And for a really great “tree fix,” the Presidio and Golden Gate Park, with all of their natural and manmade attractions, border the neighborhood on the north and south, respectively.

Perhaps the street most indicative of who lives here now is Clement. In addition to hosting Green Apple Books, a beloved used-book store, and Sixth Avenue Aquarium, a quirky aquatic-pet and flower store with an intriguing selection of fresh- and saltwater fish, the 14 blocks stretching westward from Arguello Boulevard amount to a repository of world food and drink: Le Soleil, a refined Vietnamese restaurant; Chapeau, a French bistro; an old-fashioned Schubert’s Bakery (established in 1911); the Plough and the Stars, an Irish pub (and a vortex of live Irish music); Giorgio’s Pizzeria; Burma Superstar, which specializes in spicy Burmese cuisine; Fune Ya Japanese Restaurant; Clement Street Bar and Grill; Good Luck Dim Sum; Pizza Orgasmica and Brewing; Coriya Hot Pot City; Be My Guest Thai Bistro; and Russian Bear. Numerous Asian produce and fish markets line Clement as well, led by Richmond New May Wah Supermarket.

Though Geary between Arguello and Park Presidio (the east and west boundaries of the neighborhood, respectively) remains a utilitarian strip, an automobile and bus corridor lined with gas stations and convenience and specialty stores, it has undergone some re-engineering of late for easier traffic flow as well as some new landscaping of its nondescript median. Small, walk-in restaurants also announce the area’s multi-culti population, from Star of India and Bella Trattoria to Genki Ramen, Five Happiness, and Korean Village Wooden Charcoal House. Add to this a couple of Irish pubs, Abbey Tavern and Ireland’s 32, for a snapshot of the area’s demographics. There are also a number of churches and other landmarks on the street, including Star of the Sea Roman Catholic Church and Park Presidio United Methodist Church, both of which raise their handsome white bell towers high above the traffic.

For public transportation, the area is well served by frequent (if jam-packed) buses. Geary is the main event, with the Nos. 31 and 38 carrying nearly 60,000 riders back and forth on the boulevard between here and downtown, a route paralleled by the No. 1 on California, the No. 31 on Balboa, and the No. 5 along Fulton. The No. 2 takes a more meandering path, traveling along Clement Street before going through Laurel Heights and Japantown en route to Union Square. The No. 44 travels north and south on Sixth Avenue; the No. 33 does the same along Arguello Boulevard. Though much has been made of the need for a faster, more efficient means of public transit along the Geary corridor into downtown, surface streetcars have lately been dismissed as too disruptive and ultimately not fast enough, while a subway under Geary is for the time being financially infeasible. So planners are emphasizing express buses with limited stops.

Local children attend a number of schools, from private (Star of the Sea [Catholic, K-8 and preschool] and Laurel School [nondenominational, for students with “learning differences,” K-8]) to public (George Peabody Elementary and Roosevelt Middle School, both of which rated 9 out of 10 on the GreatSchools scale, as well as Sutro Elementary, which got an 8 GreatSchools rating). All schools and their students take advantage of the newly remodeled Milton Marks Branch Library, which has age-appropriate collections and special rooms for children and teens as well as kid-friendly landscaping with a play structure.

Because of its numerous restaurants and bars, disturbing the peace is the most common criminal offense here, with the occasional assault accompanying the noise. Burglaries and robberies are also not uncommon, and, following the citywide scourge, car break-ins and auto thefts are on the rise. There has been one homicide in the neighborhood in the last three years.

Real estate in the area is considered a bargain (a four-bedroom, one-bath home was listed for $825,000, and numerous two-bedroom, two-bath condos are going for around $500,000, with a one-bedroom condo listed recently at about $330,000). Rentals here are also moderately priced: studios around $1,100, one bedrooms in the $1,200 to $1,600 range, and two bedrooms from $1,700. More than any factor, these examples of “affordable” housing may underpin the resurgence the area is currently enjoying.

"Hell on (rich Western world side of the) Earth"

Wow! I thought I'd never live in a place worse than Mountain View (or heck I'd rather live in a bad part of Moscow Russia, were it in US, than here), boy was I wrong.
You get the worst of suburbs and urban, and I mean the worst, not even like Mountain View worst.
So...
- transit sucks. You have lots of slow crappy buses, so if you don't value your time you can get to SOME places, slow. Airport by transit takes 1.5 hours. Just like in the burbs.
- driving also sucks. There's no highway, little streets with tons of stopsigns. Highway 1 is a lie.
- parking also sucks unless you have a garage, which many houses don't. There's always some moron blocking 2 spots or a pissy grandma to give you a ticket for overshooting her driveway for one inch.
- did I mention walking sucks? Unless you live on a short stretch of Clement (5th-12th, or so), it will take you 10-20 minutes of walking past what amounts to suburbs to get anywhere.
- and, there are almost no real stores here, so-so Chinese groceries and there's one Safeway-like store which will probably be a 15-minute walk. Whole Foods? Trader Joe? A Safeway? Forget it.
- so if it's not vibrant it must be quiet? Wrong, you'll have homeless people trying to harass you at a gas station (at least I'm Russian so I don't feel embarrassed like locals to just tell them to f the h off), and then cops kicking homeless people out of the park right outside your window.
- damn, almost forgot! The sketchy dudes stealing recycling Monday nights! You want to sleep at night in your street facing bedroom? You better be able to sleep thru lots of glass sounds and falling bins at 1am.
- of course, you will also hear your neighbors talk, watch TV, walk around, and snore, because most of the housing here sucks - it's dilapidated crap built 100 years ago. Some places (not ours, thankfully) even come without laundry. But you'll enjoy a friendly neighborhood landromat on Clement where the resident homeless guy (the bearded guy, he's actually pretty chill) sleeps in the rain.
- and, I am not even talking about ancient appliances, windows that won't stay open, zero insulation, the hot water that takes 3 minutes to come... that could have been my building. But, many of the other houses may be even worse by the looks of it.
- speaking of which, all these houses also look like crap, which you will enjoy on your 12-minute slog for a donut in the fog.
- yeah, fog. Probably the worst place in SF weather-wise. I work near Union Square... every time I go back home it's goodbye the sun.
- did I forget something? Sinkholes, I guess?

Now the good.
The trees. Unlike say SOMA and Mission, there are lots of trees, so there's that.

This place is utterly horrible! I am moving away soon and I'm counting the days.

"Give this place a chance"

Some people think that downtown is the pulsing heart San Francisco.

Some people are wrong.

The Inner Richmond is the perfect landing place to get to everything else. Just north: The still-unspoiled beauty of the Presidio. Just south: The cosmopolitan charm of Golden Gate Park. Take a bus East and you’re downtown in minutes. Take one West and you can get to Sutro Heights before you know it. See what I’m getting at here?

But do yourself a favor and just stay in the Inner Richmond for a while. Up on Clement Street, Pizza Orgasmica & Brewing is just as good as the name suggests (okay, maybe not THAT good—still worth the trip!). Good Luck Dim Sum is one of the best dim sum places in the city. And a night doesn’t get too much better than when it’s split between the Rockit Room and the Bitter End.

Balboa Street’s another gem. Stop by Tekka Japanese or Sushi Bistro for a great taste of the Far East. Katia’s Russian Tea Room is an awesome spot to waste away part of the afternoon. And finish up your trip with a stop at Cinderella Bakery & Café. Trust me – it’s worth it.

"Chinatown Food without the tourists"

Inner Richmond is not a tourist haunt by any stretch of the imagination. Most people who actually live in San Francisco overlook Inner Richmond, in fact. But, there are some fantastic restaurants in this neighborhood and it has really easy access to the Presidio which makes for some lovely views. The population in Inner Richmond is largely Asian. There are a ton of Chinese groceries and restaurants. Honestly, the only difference between this area and Chinatown is the architecture. IR is largely newer buildings that seem to all be made out of stucco which Chinatown is old and very city looking -- if that makes any sense. Ok, well, and the fact that you can find every imaginable kind of cuisine here whereas that's not so much the case in Chinatown proper. Seriously, every kind of food can be found in Inner Richmond. I wouldn't ever want to live in this neighborhood because I think it kind of lacks character, but the dining options here are endless so I highly recommend that people go. I also highly recommend that you wear loose pants when you go. Bistro Clement is one of my faves in the neighborhood. It's the less expensive french offshoot of the neighboring Clementine. It's delicious and very laid back. Brothers is a fantastic Korean BBQ joint on Clement and if you're in the mood for a perogi that will blow your mind I would say Cinderella which is on . . um, Balboa, I believe. Good Luck Dim Sum on Clement is my recommendation for Chinese and it is pretty good if I don't say so myself. No matter what you are in the mood for, you will find it in Inner Richmond. I would just recommend that you eat and walk through the park to get to the neighborhood you actually live in -- aka don't live here.

"An Underappreciated Spot"

Inner Richmond is a pretty cool spot. It has the Presidio to the north, so it have a really big green space and the Golden Gate Bridge right there. You are right on the edge of the what most people think of as San Francisco proper, with Pacific Heights to the northeast the Haight just to the south east over the Panhandle. The best spots in Golden Gate Park are just to the south—so if you want to go to see an art exhibit at the DeYoung hang out sunbathing, you are right there. There are always outdoor events being held in the Park as well—concerts and such, so you can save yourself the hassle of trying to find parking or dealing with the crowds on the BART.
Despite this great location, you can still find some steals here. I’ve been looking at listings and although there are your typical $3000 and up rentals, you can also find studios for about $1100—which is pretty amazing given the location. The buildings around here are a lot like those you find in North Beach and throughout most of the city—the typical three story structures with garages on the ground floor, walkups and bay windows. It’s a really pleasant look though way overused in the city. At least you get a little more variation in this area, like wood shingles and some buildings that look more square-ish than the usual. On the eastern end you also get a fair number of squat walkup Victorian bungalows with subterranean garages and cramped recessed front porches. Unlike North Beach, this is also a pretty flat area, which means fewer views.
As far as a steal in SF, this would be the area. Perfect location, just far enough from the action but close enough to dive in when you feel like it. Of course, you’ll have to fight off student from the USF campus nearby.

"Cheap family living"

Inner Richmond, a large block of residential area, houses mostly families, young professionals and retirees with a melting pot of different cultures and ethnicities.

The weather can be somewhat fickle in this neighborhood. The mornings can start out clear, but once the afternoon hits, clouds start rolling in over the hills. Fortunately, the district borders Golden Gate Park, which can be a lively area for outdoor recreation. While you walk the windy trails of the park, you’ll come across 21 tennis courts, a disc golf course, basketball courts and a 9-hole golf course.

Rent is on the upswing, mostly because of remodeled stucco house fronts and new city development. Cute boutiques and appliance stores are quietly nestled in the area for residents to browse through. For dining out, the district offers plenty of cheap Chinese restaurants including King of Thai noodle house, a lively neighborhood sports bar with inexpensive food and drinks and sports on the television. The Other Place is a great neighborhood wine bar and Ireland’s 32 is a lively Irish pub that attracts many of the young and trendy locals. If you’re looking for a fun trivia night, head to The Bitter End on Tuesday nights.

Public transportation is a bit less frequent compared to areas closer to downtown. The buses are usually jammed pack almost at all times of the day. In response, most residents own cars and drive to work.

"Probably one of the best places to live in the city"

There is something cool and San Francisco-y about the Inner Richmond, almost in a "forgotten city" kind of way. While it doesn't contain any of the obvious attractions that are found in other parts of the city (i.e., the Golden Gate Bridge, Ghiradelli Square or the Pacific Ocean), it does share the architecture and aesthetic characteristics of this great city.

The blend of residential homes, casual restaurants and an even more casual nightlife scene make this place somehow seem...accessible. Even parking is relatively easy to find, compared to neighborhoods further east.

Proximity to Golden Gate Park and the Presidio are other major plusses - it is nice to have nature and recreation areas so close to a well-traveled neighborhood. You won't find too many tourists here, although there is some traffic from Geary. The weather is not as miserable as Seal Rock, but is certainly cooler and foggier than, say, the Mission, but proximity to nearby Japantown, Pacific Heights and Haight/Ashbury keep it from having that desolate feeling that much of western San Francisco has.

There is definitely a little bit of an ethnic feel here as well, with many Chinese and other Asian restaurants, but this is far more residential than Chinatown.

"As quiet as it gets in the big city"

The Inner Richmond is a big agglomeration of peaceful, friendly, highly walkable neighborhoods half an hour from downtown San Francisco. It's quiet and residential, but you're never more than a 10-minute walk from a grocery store, laundromat, hardware store, bakery, and video store. And -- thanks to Clement St. -- there's also a limitless supply of good dim sum, sushi, and Korean barbecues. For outdoor lovers, no place is more than a short walk to Golden Gate Park or the Presidio! A lot of people seem to think of the Richmond as a far-off suburb, but it’s got great public transit. You can take the Muni to downtown in about 30 minutes, anytime of day or night, and there are also several bus lines that run to the Soma area. The only negative here is that there isn’t a BART station within easy reach – you have to take the bus either east to Civic Center or south to Glen Park.

"Great food, beautiful parks"

The Inner Richmond is a fabulous San Francisco neighborhood. The residential stretches of the area are clean and quiet with a nice mix of small grocers, cafes, boutiques and restaurants. There is great access to Downtown via Geary Street, Balboa/Turk Street or Fulton Street.

The Southern edge of the Inner Richmond borders beautiful Golden Gate Park. From here the park can easily be explored on foot or bicycle. The DeYoung Museum is only a few hundred yards away from Fulton Street and 10th Avenue. The beautiful Rose Garden is also right here. The northern edge of the neighborhood is one block away from the Presidio—another wonderful recreational area full of hiking trails and bike paths. In the neighborhood’s southeastern corner, along Anza, is the delightful Rossi Playground with plenty of space for kids to safely play.

The Inner Richmond is nestled into a nice hilly section of the city, and several streets have nice views towards downtown and out to the ocean. This neighborhood is near to The University of San Francisco, as well as a vibrant stretch of Geary Street full of great bars and restaurants.

My favorite section of this neighborhood is along Clement Street. Here you can find some of the best authentic Asian restaurants in the city such as China First, Spices and Burma Superstar. There are also many fine Chinese-owned produce and fish markets along Clement.

"Mini Chinatown"

Inner Richmond contains it all; a great neighborhood to live and great places to eat and shop at. First off, living is great, but from my knowledge, a majority of the residents in the Inner Richmond (Or Richmond in general) is mostly Russians and Jewish people. That’s what I’ve heard from my friends who live in the Richmond themselves, and it also seems kind of evident to some extent. On Geary Boulevard you’ll find a lot of Russian and Jewish restaurants and stores, and a couple Asian places here and there. But on Clement Street, there’s a plethora of Chinese restaurants, cafes, stores, and local food markets. Clement Street in the Inner Richmond is basically a mini-Chinatown in a sense.

The MUNI transportation in the Inner Richmond is very abundant, there’s basically a MUNI stop just around every corner or so. You won’t have to walk far to find one. The busiest parts of Inner Richmond are on Clement and Geary, and just a bit of activity on California Street. Clement street gets jam packed with cars during the weekends. There are several parks in the vicinity and Golden Gate Park right, which means recreational activities are just around the corner.

"A Livley and Fun Place to live in"

The Richmond is a great place to live in. There are many unique shop and boutiques, restaurants, and parks. It's also a safe neighborhood with low crime rate. Many of San Francisco's beautiful homes and houses resides in this area. I find it hard to be bored in this neighborhood. In the morning there are parks, the community pool, and shops to go to, while at night there are many bars large and small, and large variety of restaurants, and even movie theaters in this area. One of my favorites in this neighborhood is that there are different snack shops with unique snacks like crepes, eggetts, tapioca drinks, quickly, and much more! Besides this, the variety of restaurant in this neighborhood covers the majority of different cuisines. They have cuisines varying from Burmese to French to Vietnamese. You will never get bored of the things you get to eat here, there's so many!

"Great Neighborhood to live in"

The Inner Richmond is a great place to live if you’re in your early to late 20’s. There’s always a lot to do because there are so many bars on Geary and Clement, and the great thing about the inner Richmond is that there’s a Chinatown. The traffic on Geary gets really crazy though, and sometimes it’s a pain in the ass to cross the street, but if you’re patient (unlike myself) someone will eventually stop for you. There’s also great places to eat on Geary AND Clement. It’s also right by USF so if you’re a student, it’s a great place to live.

"Yum Yum Yum!"

Visit Clement Street between Arguello and 12th and you'll find a vast array of places to go. There's bars and food and lots of amazing tasty treats to enjoy. If you head down to Balboa, various corners will boast their own tasty treats. And Geary has quite a few pubs you can enjoy for a drink if that's what you prefer. Nearby you'll find one of the Mel's Diner locations -- it's a fun location to eat for the whole family for a reasonable price.

All of that is great, though this area of town can get a little foggy in the summer especially, so it isn't the warmest part of town, nor is it the sunniest, like say SoMa or the Mission. Parking isn't that bad as long as you know the street cleaning schedule.

The Inner Richmond does boast easy access to Golden Gate Park and that is a wonderful place to visit again and again and again.

"Inner Richmond could be the new Chinatown"

This practical and comfortable community is often times referred to as the "New Chinatown" because of the plethora of Chinese groceries, restaurants, and Cantonese chatter along the way.

As far as eateries, you will find great Burmese, Thai, Vietnamese, and Korean restaurants along the main dining and shopping drag known as Clement Street. Along this main drag, you can also discover great dim sum for under ten dollars and produce markets that offer numerous kinds of choy (greens) or even ten lemons for a dollar.

Countless bazaars line Richmond's streets with some very questionable merchandise. It is not uncommon to find $1.49 rubber flip-flops or a pack of cigarette lighters for under a dollar.

If you are into bird-watching and sight-seeing be sure to visit The Presidio, now a national park and home to many native California plants and rare birds. Joggers and dog walkers can enjoy secret trails and tracks through the cypress and eucalyptus trees, offering a party for your senses.

RegCwell prices are way up on the big beautiful Edwardian homes 2,000,000.00 and up , looks like we got discovered alright - but what a great area inner Rrichmond surrounded by parks and 10 min to downtown... the best place in S F..

2yrs+

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